Florence Foster Jenkins had been a very wealthy but very sheltered girl but in her later life, after receiving her large inheritance, she finally got a chance to pursue her lifelong dream, to be an opera singer. Only thing, she was absolutely awful, worse than awful. She seemed to not be able to hit one note, chose very vocally challenging songs, and did it with a sincere passion, and lavish costumes! She started having concerts that became very popular—many couldn’t get through a whole performance, rolling in laughter and had to excuse themselves. In 1944 she sold out Carnegie Hall! With some scalpers getting as much as $20 a ticket.
“Some may say that I couldn’t sing, but no one can say I didn’t sing.” —Florence Foster Jenkins
There is a play that has been written, ‘Souvenir’ (Stephen Temperley), hilarious. The Studio Theatre just staged it last season with Nancy Robinette (here in Washington DC).
To hear a legend, click here. This video makes my cats ears go back.
I took a couple Mayan History classes in college, I was excited to see this one. Now, I know, it’s not really a horror genre movie, but I don’t think anyone who has seen it and it’s 114 body count would argue. It’s gorgeous and thrilling. So exciting to see this empire recreated, living and breathing. On the DVD the special behind the scenes stuff, while well marinated in Mel Gibson, are fascinating if you enjoyed the history or the production design.
A Film by Thomas Haemmerli, 2007
After their mother’s death, two Swiss brothers, upon entering her apartment, found out she had become a hoarder. They documented the process of excavating a lifetime of stuff after a family member dies:
"Amidst the chaos of their dead mother’s apartment, two brothers irreverently piece together their family history. It’s a strange but unique saga involving baronesses and counts; stolen lovers and Nazi officers; lawsuits and counter lawsuits and lots and lots of cats. Compelling and darkly hilarious.”
Full documentary here, Seven Dumpsters and a Corpse
This one is dedicated to El Sloganero and my brother.
Incredibly intelligent Harry Andrews lead an interesting life but, when he retired at 65, he started a building project that would be his legacy. As dementia phased in, his dreams took flight! He spent decades building (nearly single handedly) a massive 16th Century Medieval castle on 1.5 acres outside of Cincinnati, OH. Hauling water in pails from the river and making bricks in milk cartons.
The truly impressive Loveland Castle (Chateau Laroche) and Harry Andrews received a lot of attention over the years from the news and locals. The castle served a greater purpose though... Harry retreated into a more simple time, rejecting the modern world, and founded the Knights of the Golden Trail. Something like Boy Scouts, they did camping, and they emulated the ideals of noble knight of yore.
“What about those Knights, the young men for whom Harry built the castle and to whom it was willed when he died? "Nothing that God ever made on the earth is more awe inspiring and heart warming than the sight of a noble youth just budding into manhood," Harry wrote. "Any man of high ideals who wishes to help save civilization is invited to become a member of the Knights of the Golden Trail."
The Knights still maintain the castle today and welcome tourists. I stopped by on a road trip (took these pictures below).
To learn more about this architect, leader, visionary and possible dirty old man, (including how he cheated death once, but ultimately died of an infection from when he lit his pants on fire on the castle roof while burning trash). Click here! Or here!
Loved it! Contingency Cannibalism: Superhardcore Suvivalism’s Dirty Little Secret (Shiguro Takada) is a humorous telling of the history of survivalist cannibalism. Sure some parts are grisly, but it’s full of stories of the incredible lengths man goes to survive! The author tries to keep it light. Taboo and horrific, cannibalism is a part of the human condition and history.
Makes me think of another great book: Alive
The famous Big Edie and Little Edie Beale were wealthy society girls turned delusional hermits. Cousins of Jackie O, all the family girls always married prominent and wealthy. After Big Edie’s divorce, the mother and daughter lived exclusively in their East Hampton estate, Grey Gardens. The two of them, with very little money, didn’t leave and allowed the mansion to deteriorate to a crumbling, hoarders den with 300 cats and raccoons in the attic. When the Health Dept. threatened to tear it down, Jackie and her sister bailed them out and repaired the home.
The classic documentary Grey Gardens (1975, Albert and David Maysles) is the delicious voyeur’s peep into the bizarre world of the Beales. Although it had only been a few years since the refurbishment, the movie shows Grey Gardens is well on its way back to its former state.
Apparently they are making a movie for 2008 about Grey Gardens, Drew Barrymore stars as Little Edie.
"My mother doesn't believe in kitty litter. She prefers boxes and paper. And she's the cat lover. So you can imagine how I suffer." - Little Edie
"Jackie was twelve years younger than I, and although I was never jealous of her, I never liked her. You know what Jackie wanted? She wanted the house. Yes darling, that's the truth, and she did everything she could to get it. Then Jackie sent her sister Lee, who I've always been absolutely terrified of- I think she's a big criminal. Lee and her boyfriend came around and started to tear the house down with axes. Don't go near any of these people for God's sake, they're all insane!" - Little Edie
"Of course the house isn't perfectly normal. The house has to be done over. You know how hard it is to get plumbers in the autumn." - Little Edie
You think it would look sexier with the bra underneath? I think it would. - Little Edie
The tragic Michael Carroll won 10 million pounds in the British lottery and earned his tabloid title “Lottery lout” by using his winnings to be the biggest jerk ever. Of course, he bought expensive homes, cars, cocaine and jewelry—but he also spewed death threats at most, was a notoriously paranoid thug and avid racist. To the horror of his neighbors, he turned the back yard of one his residences into his own private demolition derby. When he ran out of derby cars, he and his entourage would smash the luxury cars! He became an infamous tabloid media monster, amateur boxer, drug addict, and criminal. He squandered his millions in an astonishing 18 months, he also lost his family. Not surprisingly, he inspired countless news articles and a documentary.
Clip from Keith Allen's documentary on Carroll "King of Chavs" 1 of 3... check em all out, they made me crave Stella Artois.
7 Lottery Winners Who Lost Their Millions
Curse of the Lottery, THS Investigates on E!
Hermits! People who live in seclusion from society. Mental illness? Political Statement? There are probably many reasons one becomes a hermit but... as an occupation?
